Code

CHAPTER 18

THE MENU OFFERED sloppy joes with a diced vegetable medley.

Even the best schools have terrible food days, and Bolton was no exception. Which is why I usually packed a lunch. That day, it was a cucumber-and-cream-cheese sandwich, SunChips, and Diet Coke. I never claimed to be a health nut.

“I’m telling you, we don’t need him.” Ben wouldn’t let it go. “And he’s not going to help anyway.”

We sat in our usual corner. Around us, the cafeteria echoed with clattering trays, clinking silverware, and gossiping students. I barely noticed. My focus was on the three sets of skeptical eyes across the table.

“Jason’s dad is a detective.” Third time I’d repeated it. “We’re trying to contact a police expert. Why wouldn’t we use that connection?”

“The Gamemaster’s rules.” Ben leaned closer, dropped his voice. “We’re not supposed to talk to anyone. People could get hurt.”

Hi and Shelton flanked Ben. We’d arranged ourselves this way so Jason could sit next to me, but right now it felt like a firing squad.

“Ben could be right.” Hi was shrugging off his inside-out jacket. “The rules don’t specifically mention this, but I doubt the Gamemaster would see it that way.”

“We just need an introduction.” My patience was wearing thin. “Jason can get a message to this Marchant guy, and then we can give him the swab. Easy.”

“What makes you think Marchant will help us?” Shelton asked. “We don’t know him. And I thought those labs couldn’t do side projects?”

“That’s why we need Jason,” I said, exasperated. “He’s our in.”

Hi glanced behind me. “He’s coming now.” Pause. “Ever notice how short Jason wears his ties? He looks like an insurance salesman. And learn a Windsor knot already.”

Shelton snorted, covered it by shoveling vegetable medley into his mouth.

Jason slid into the chair beside me. “Something funny?”

Shelton expelled a few fake hacks. “Hiccups.”

“Whatever.” Jason seemed in good spirits. “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t hit my locker until after third period, and just got your note. What’s up?”

I smiled sweetly. I hoped. “We have a favor to ask.”

“She has a favor to ask,” Ben interjected.

Damn it, Ben! The last thing I needed.

Jason, to his credit, ignored Ben’s clarification. “I live to serve. Name it.”

“I need to reach someone at the CPD crime lab.” Acting like my request was the most normal thing in the world. “A forensics expert named Eric Marchant.”

“And you’re hoping I can make that happen.” Jason flashed a droll grin. “What’d you do this time? Shoot somebody?”

Ben sighed loudly. “Can you help Tory or not?”

Jason’s cool slipped a notch. “If you don’t need anything, why are you here?”

“I’m studying jerkoffs in the wild,” Ben answered dryly. “This seemed like a good chance to observe one up close.”

Jason leaned forward. “You want up close? We can step outside for a better look.”

Hi and Shelton placed hands on Ben’s shoulders.

“Enough!” I barked. “Ben, quit screwing around. Apologize.”

Ben’s gaze cut to me. Then he sat back and crossed his arms. “Sorry.” His tone could not have been less sincere.

Jason gave Ben a level look. “Hey, no problem, pal. Misunderstandings happen.”

Ben reddened, but held his tongue.

“I’m working on something for my father’s birthday,” I said quickly. “A scientist out at LIRI said I should speak to Marchant.”

“What’s the project?”

“I can’t tell you.” Coy. “It’d spoil the surprise.”

Jason pulled a face. “But the surprise isn’t for me.”

The boys were right. This was a terrible cover story.

Unfortunately, hard as I’d tried, I hadn’t come up with a single plausible reason why I’d need a CPD forensics expert. One that wouldn’t lead to more questions. Questions I couldn’t answer.

So I forged ahead, hoping I didn’t sound as phony as I felt.

“My dad’s way into history. Last week, I found this antique cash register in the old market that I knew he’d love.”

Avoiding eye contact. Antique cash register?

“It’s the bomb,” Hi added. “Buttons everywhere. Really good at totaling prices.”

“The problem is,” I continued, “the gears need a specific type of oil to run properly. I don’t know which one, but was told Marchant could identify things like that if given a sample.”

Jason looked at me askance. “You need a police forensics expert to identify oil for an antique cash register?”

“Mmm-hmm.” I tried not to squirm. Sooo ridiculous.

“You get into the weirdest things.”

“You’ll help me out?” Thousand-watt smile.

Jason shrugged. “Sure, why not. I can call over about Marchant.”

“Thank you so much!” I removed the swab from my bag and handed it to Jason. “Here’s the sample.”

Jason raised the swab like a baton. “One condition.”

“Anything.”

“I get to see this amazing cash register.”

Crap.

Shelton’s brows climbed his forehead. Hi winced. Ben’s attention snapped back to the table.

Jason didn’t seem to notice. “You’ll have to show me this machine, one-on-one.”

“‘One-on-one,’” Ben mimicked in a singsong voice. Then he got up and started for the door. “Jesus, this is painful to watch. I’m outta here.”

Jason shot to his feet, nostrils flaring. Ben stopped dead.

The cafeteria went still. Everyone watched the boys square off.

“I’m not a violent person, Blue.” Jason bit off the words. “But I’ve had enough of your mouth. I’ll kick your ass right here.”

Ben’s jaw tightened. “You think so, rich boy?”

“You heard me.” A vein was bulging in Jason’s neck.

Ben’s breathing quickened. The tiniest spark of gold flickered in his irises.

My stomach backflipped.

Oh my God! He’s going to flare!

“Get him out of here!” I hissed at Shelton and Hi. “Hurry!”

Recognizing the danger, Hi jumped to his feet, planted both hands on Ben’s chest and pushed him toward the door, whispering, “Use your head, use your head, use your head!”

Ben tried to hold his ground, but Shelton joined the effort. “Get it together! People are watching. Don’t lose control!”

Slowly, the duo managed to back Ben away, but his glare never strayed from Jason. At the exit, Ben shrugged free and stalked down the hall alone.

I took my first breath since Jason stood.

Crisis averted, but barely.

Excited chatter filled the room. As classmates watched our table, hoping for more drama, Jason hastily retook his seat.

“That was …” I struggled for words. “Jason, I’m so sorry. I don’t know why—”

“You really don’t, do you?” Jason snapped. “Everyone else can figure it out.”

“Figure out what?”

“Never mind. I’ll get in touch with Marchant. It might take a few days for him to call you. That okay?”

“Yes.” It would have to be. “And thank you again.”

But his comment bothered me. “When you said everyone else—”

“I’ve got to get going.” Rising quickly. “We’ll talk again soon.”

Jason strode through the doors, nodding to Shelton and Hi as they hurried back to the table. The three of us huddled close, our lunches forgotten.

“What in God’s name was that?” Hi looked as alarmed as I felt.

“I saw your expression, Tor.” Shelton’s eyes darted, scanning for eavesdroppers. “Ben almost slipped, didn’t he? Almost … changed?”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

“Not good.” Hi ran a hand down his face. “Not good at all.”

“We’ve got to keep those two apart for a while.” Shelton dodged my eye. “Let them cool down.”

I rubbed my forehead, in a daze. “They’ve never been this bad before.”

The look in Ben’s eyes when Jason challenged him—it’d been dangerous. Borderline irrational. For him to get so angry he nearly flared in public … How could he allow such a loss of self-control? Would it happen again?

“Ben’s always had a temper,” I said, “but lately he’s off the chain. Do you have any idea why?”

“Um. Huh.” Hi wasn’t looking at me. “I mean, look. I’m sure whatever it is, he’ll get over it. Things happen. We should just give him some space.”

“Space.” Shelton was inspecting a thumbnail. “That’s probably the best thing.”

My eyes narrowed. Did these two know more than they were letting on?

I was about to probe further when Hi spoke. “Jason said we might not hear from Marchant for days. How much time do we have left?”

The Game. I’d almost forgotten.

I rooted inside my backpack, keeping the iPad hidden. Checked the timer.

“Thirty-six hours. Until tomorrow midnight.”

“Then we can’t wait,” Shelton said. “We’ve got to solve the puzzle.”

“You’re right.” I slapped the tabletop in frustration. “I’m tired of being jerked around like a yo-yo.”

“I hate it too,” Hi said. “But for now, we have to follow the script. No choice.”

“We need an idea.” Shelton tapped a finger. “Some plan of attack.”

He was right.

But I didn’t have one.

And we were running out of time.

Tick tick tick.